All 6 Rhode Island-connected draftees sign their MLB deals. How much did they sign for?
The state’s Major League Baseball draft class is officially signed, sealed and delivered.
All six players with Rhode Island ties have agreed to professional contracts and will forego their remaining college eligibility. One additional free agent will join the group at their respective minor league camps in the coming weeks and months.
Alex Clemmey signs with Cleveland Guardians
Alex Clemmey was the lone high school selection from the state in 2023, going from Bishop Hendricken to the Cleveland Guardians in the second round. Coleman Picard and Brett Wichrowski were each tabbed out of Bryant and Mark Coley became the first University of Rhode Island draft pick in five years. Connecticut left-handers Andrew Sears and Zach Fogell – West Warwick and Cumberland graduates, respectively – also heard their names called.
The days following the draft brought one more name – former Clippers and Rams standout Addison Kopack. He agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres thanks to a strong summer campaign in 2021 and following spring season in 2022.
Clemmey signed with the Guardians for $2.3 million, which was considerably above his slot value of $1,402,600 as the 58th overall pick. Cleveland applied nearly $900,000 in savings on first-round catcher Ralphy Velazquez to keep Clemmey from attending Vanderbilt. According to evaluators, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year with the Hawks featured some of the best raw stuff available in this year’s class.
Coleman Picard signs with Kansas City Royals
Picard signed with the Kansas City Royals for $345,500, his full slot value in the sixth round. The right-hander topped the staff for the Bulldogs last season, working to a 3.43 earned-run average in 42 innings. Picard struck out 59 against just 12 walks and impressed in a pair of nonconference outings against Virginia Tech and Davidson.
Andrew Sears signs with Detroit Tigers
Sears signed with the Detroit Tigers for $167,800 and a contingency bonus of $2,500 – that combined amount equals his full slot value in the 10th round. He became the first Wizards alum drafted in three decades after cracking the rotation with the Huskies, making 14 starts and sharing the team lead with 74 strikeouts. Sears dominated with Rhode Island College in 2022, earning Little East Pitcher of the Year honors before entering the transfer portal.
Signed & Officially A Milwaukee Brewer!
Congratulations To WHS Alumni Brett Wichrowski On An Amazing Accomplishment! We All Wish You The Best Of Luck At The Next Level! #23 ⚾️@WichrowskiBrett @WtownHSBaseball @whsbravessports pic.twitter.com/gbBJ5w2nlD— WHS Braves Baseball Alumni (@AlumniBraves) July 21, 2023
Brett Wichrowski signs with Milwaukee Brewers
Wichrowski signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for an undisclosed bonus after being selected in the 13th round. The right-hander racked up a team-high 64 strikeouts in 50 innings and went to an organization that selected pitchers with 16 of its 21 picks. Wichrowski and Picard make it four times in the last five years Bryant has celebrated multiple draft picks.
More: Two more players with RI connections hear their names called at the MLB Draft
Mark Coley signs with Miami Marlins
Coley signed with the Miami Marlins for $50,000. The outfielder went in the 17th round despite missing time last season due to injury – his team-high .643 slugging percentage and breakout 2019 with Pittsfield in the Futures League proved to be enough of a track record. Coley was the first URI player selected since right-hander Nick Johnson went to the Chicago White Sox in 2018.
Zach Fogell signed with Boston Red Sox
Fogell signed with the Boston Red Sox for $150,000, which is the maximum amount outside the top 10 rounds before officially cutting into a team's allotted bonus pool. He made the most of a graduate transfer year at Connecticut, posting a 1.89 ERA in 34 relief appearances and earning a selection to the Big East all-conference first team. Fogell started his career at Brown and steadily developed into a pitcher selected in the 18th round.
Addison Kopack signs with San Diego Padres
Kopack signed with the Padres for an undisclosed bonus and will report to their spring training complex in Arizona. He worked as a catcher and an infielder with the Rams, enjoying two extended stretches of success at the plate. Kopack put up an .848 OPS with Mystic in the New England Collegiate Baseball League and followed with an 1.174 OPS with URI, collecting 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 35 walks in 54 games.
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: All 6 RI-connected draftees sign their MLB deals
